#20: The Weekly Rundown
Sinking into fall
I blinked, and it’s fall! A welcomed season change, no doubt. The cool, crisp weather has me thinking about holidays — from Halloween to Thanksgiving to Christmas — and all of the fun prep that will go into it. I’m attempting to update my wardrobe with a few new staples, and I’m excitedly anticipating hosting my in-laws for Thanksgiving this year. A light theme of looking ahead, below.
SHOPPING
I enjoyed my Monday off by stopping into a few stores around town for some fall and winter inspiration. Nashville just doesn’t have the best shopping, so I didn’t have much actual purchasing success. However, I’m excited about this skirt and top from Zara that I found. Everything out there is suede, leather or brown (not complaining), and I was surprised to see so many oversized cardigans (I would’ve guessed they were on the way out).
In my online shopping, I’ve saved this cable knit sweater and pants set, these red snakeskin flats, and an affordable swingy sweater.
I’m considering a midi Chappy Wrap blanket to keep in my office as things cool down outside.
My faaaavorite Lululemon t-shirt is back! I haven’t tried it yet, but I have been complaining that they discontinued it for months. This is my favorite for an easier walk or day of errands when I don’t want something so tight.
My husband has (jokingly, though, rightfully) embargoed my purchasing any more sweatshirts, and particularly grey ones, as I have quite the stack in the corner of my closet. That said, I was thrilled when my mom gave me this one last weekend, and I’ve been living it in since then. It’s oversized in the best way, so you can size down for a still-big look. (I kind of want another one?)
I LOVE these ON sneakers, and the new pink, green and white colorway is calling my name.
PLANNING
When RJ and I got married, I started a spreadsheet for our Christmas gift-giving. I’d never been great at planning ahead for Christmas, but I can’t tell you how much keeping everything in one place has helped me. I have a section for every family member and friend, and I list the gift(s), price, and status (ordered, arrived, wrapped, etc.). I’m able to easily track how much we’ve spent per person, and whether or not it’s made its way under the tree. I keep each year in a tab so that I can refer back to everything we bought in the prior years. Maybe this isn’t novel to some of my more organized friends, but for anyone else, I highly recommend the tracking and starting it early! Ours is prepped, and I plan to start adding items this weekend.
READING, WATCHING, LISTENING
Chuckled my way through Music City Musings, a Nashville guide book one of my good friends recently contributed to. Definitely recommend for an easy stocking stuffer or thinking of you gift!
I still haven’t started Ina’s memoir (I’m going to!), but recently added The Husbands to the top of the list after its mention in Platonic Love this week.
My pal Amanda was recently featured on How’d She Do That podcast, and I enjoyed every second of listening to her backstory and how she found herself in interior design. She’s so talented and just all around a really fabulous person and friend!
COOKING AND EATING
We haven’t done anything overly exciting in the kitchen lately. Instead, we’ve kept to our go-tos that aren’t really worth sharing here (spicy salmon bowls, breakfast for dinner, rice and beans, big salads, etc.). That said, a few items we’re obsessed with right now …
Honeycrisp and cosmic crisp apples !!!! Ever since our apple orchard stop, we cannot get enough apples in our house. Honeycrisp is a staple, while Cosmic Crisps are new to the faves list.
Kerrygold Aged Cheese snacks — I’ve loved these with spicy mustard, apples, etc. They’re more like a parm or really sharp cheddar, so they are a little more elevated than your typical cheese stick.
Corn and wheat tortillas — RJ’s family introduced me to these. For months, Whole Foods has not stocked them, and now they’re back. They are perfect for breakfast tacos!
Siete Jalapeño Botana Sauce — One of my best friends brought this over for brunch a few weeks ago, and we’ve since finished the bottle. It reminds us of Ladybird’s creamy jalapeno hot sauce if you’re local!
Whole Foods Red Lentil Dal with Spinach soup — These prepared soups are ideal for days when I eat lunch at work, and this is the most flavorful, comforting one. Recommend!
Alison Roman sent out her coconut cake recipe yesterday, and it might be on the weekend agenda. Looks and sounds amazing!
Finally, if you’re local, something I keep meaning to share here (and maybe I have before?) is that one of my favorite places, Radish, offers a really great family meal option. We’ve done it several times for Mah Jong, I’ve dropped it off for friends, etc. Pick your favorite salad, a protein, and dressing, and they pack it up in two large containers with hummus, pita and their rice/quinoa mixture. It can last for multiple meals and easily serve a group (we get two for our group of 8 and always have plenty of leftovers).
That’s all for now. Talk soon!
xx, Annie
Corn season has passed but Andy B. posted a delicious Kerrygold Aged Cheddar salad to his IG this summer! Was in constant rotation in our house!